Liquid Dispensing Apparatus Flow Resistance Design

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing liquid dispensing apparatuses face accuracy issues due to pressure reduction in the flow path when compressed gas is supplied to a liquid reservoir, leading to insufficient or excessive adhesive application, and require large buffer tanks, hindering size reduction.

Innovation Solution

The method involves setting a larger flow resistance in the path between the buffer tank and the liquid reservoir compared to the path between the buffer tank and the pressure reducing valve, achieved by reducing the diameter or length of the flow path downstream of the buffer tank, and optionally using a second pressure reducing valve or buffer tank to minimize pressure reduction.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Manufacturing precision

If a buffer tank with larger volume is disposed midway in the gas supply line, then pressure reduction in the liquid reservoir is prevented to some extent, but pressure reduction is caused inside the buffer tank itself, and the apparatus size increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedispensing accuracyVSAvoidbuffer tank volume
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSVolume of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The invention changes the flow resistance parameter of the flow path between buffer tank and liquid reservoir by adjusting its diameter or length, making it larger than the flow resistance of the path from buffer tank to pressure reducing valve. This parameter change allows the buffer tank to maintain pressure stability without requiring excessive volume

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The invention applies different flow resistance characteristics to different segments of the gas supply system. The flow path from buffer tank to liquid reservoir is designed with higher flow resistance (smaller diameter or longer length) compared to the flow path from buffer tank to pressure reducing valve, creating localized quality differences that optimize pressure distribution

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

2Manufacturing precision

If the flow path diameter between buffer tank and liquid reservoir is reduced to increase flow resistance, then pressure stability improves, but the flow path length increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedispensing accuracyVSAvoidflow path length
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSLength of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The invention adjusts the diameter parameter of the flow path between buffer tank and liquid reservoir to increase flow resistance. By making the diameter smaller, the flow resistance increases, which stabilizes pressure in the liquid reservoir without necessarily increasing the flow path length

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Volume of stationary object

If compressed gas is supplied directly to liquid reservoir without buffer tank, then apparatus size is reduced, but pressure reduction causes inaccurate liquid dispensing

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveapparatus sizeVSAvoiddispensing accuracy
Core Design Contradiction:
Volume of stationary objectVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The invention optimizes the flow resistance parameters of the gas supply paths to minimize pressure reduction effects. By carefully balancing the flow resistance values, the system can use a compact buffer tank while maintaining stable pressure for accurate dispensing

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The buffer tank serves as an intermediary element between the pressure reducing valve and the liquid reservoir. It mediates pressure fluctuations by providing a volume buffer, and the optimized flow resistance paths ensure this intermediary function works effectively with minimal pressure loss

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

This approach enhances the accuracy of liquid dispensing, reduces the size of the apparatus, and stabilizes pressure supplied to the liquid reservoir, minimizing pressure variations and pulsations.

Implementation Method 1

flow resistance of a flow path communicating the buffer tank and the liquid reservoir is set larger than flow resistance of a flow path communicating the buffer tank and the pressure reducing valve

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectFlow resistance: Drag

Data Source

PatentEP2438998B1Method and device for discharging a fixed amount of liquid
Publication Date: 2019.09.18 MUSASHI ENG INC
  • EP2438998B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2438998B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2438998B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

Provided are a method and a device for discharging a fixed amount of liquid such that it is possible to divide and dispense a liquid material with a higher accuracy than is possible with conventional devices. The method for discharging a fixed amount of liquid uses a device provided with: a decompression valve for reducing the pressure of a compressed gas supplied by a compressed gas source; a discharging valve for controlling the flow rate of the gas decompressed at the decompression valve; a liquid storing container for discharging liquid from a nozzle through the pressing force of the gas supplied via the discharging valve; and a buffer tank positioned between the decompression valve and the discharging valve that has a volume greater than the volume of the liquid storage container. The method and device for discharging a fixed amount of liquid are characterized by suppressing the pressure reduction that occurs in the flow path for supplying the compressed gas to the aforementioned liquid storage container during the operation of the aforementioned decompression valve by increasing the flow resistance in the flow path that connects the aforementioned buffer tank with the aforementioned storage container so as to be greater than the flow resistance in the flow path that connects the aforementioned buffer tank with the aforementioned decompression valve.